Tray rack

ABSTRACT

A wire rack construction providing one or more support levels for carrying shallow trays at such support levels; the rack constructions being insertable into compartments of laboratory apparatus such as sterilizers, incubators, ovens or the like whereby to subdivide the compartments thereof when small or shallow containers, plates and the like are contained in the trays.

United States Patent [1 1 Fried et a1.

[ TRAY RACK [75] Inventors: George Fried, Stamford, Conn.; Shalom Z.Hirschman, Forest Hills,

[73] Assignee: Greiner Scientific Corporation, New

York, NY.

221 Filed: June 11, 1971 211 App]. No.: 152,058

[52] U.S.Cl. ..2ll/l26,211/181,220/l9, 220/97 A [51] Int. Cl. ..A47f3/14 [58] Field ofSearch ..211/126, 181,71,7A, 133; 220/97 A, 19;34/238, 237; 312/351 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS2,554,232 5/1951 Young ..211/126 1 51 Feb. 20, 1973 3,022,900 2/ 1962Averill ..21 1/126 3,136,443 6/1964 Muckler 3,338,466 8/1967 Hare et a13,395,810 8/1968 Johnson ..211/126 Primary Examiner-Ramon S. BrittsAttorney-Philip G. Hilbert [57] ABSTRACT A wire rack constructionproviding one or more support levels for carrying shallow trays at suchsupport levels; the rack constructions being insertable intocompartments of laboratory apparatus such as sterilizers, incubators,ovens or the like whereby to subdivide the compartments thereof whensmall or shallow containers, plates and the like are contained in thetrays.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBZOW 3,717. 259

SHEET 1 GF A INVENTORS George Fried B Shalom Z.Hirschman ATTO RNEYPATENTED Fiazoma SHEET 3 OF 4 TRAY RACK BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONResearch laboratories frequently have use for ovens, sterilizers,incubators and the like, wherein such devices have multiple compartmentsfor receiving items to be processed therein. As there may be a widerange of dimensions for such items, the height of the individualcompartments is dimensioned for the largest possible item. Thus, theshelves of such apparatus has a fixed maximum spacing in order toaccommodate items of widely varying dimensional proportions.

It follows that when the items to be retreated by the apparatus arerelatively small or shallow; the relatively large compartments receivingsuch small items gives rise to a substantial waste of space and minimaluseful space.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved rackconstruction for mounting trays thereon where relatively smallcontainers, shallow dishes and other small items are to be carried bythe trays; the rack construction including one or more support levelsfor mounting the trays and their contents; two or more of such racksbeing stackable for insertion into compartments of laboratory equipmentto subdivide the same and maximize the utility of the available space.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tray rack for use inlaboratory work including tissue culture, virology, bacteriology,microbiology and other scientific research; the rack being formed ofbent wire and designed to have one or more tray mounting levels; two ormore of the racks being stackable to provide any desired number of traymounting levels.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a tray rack havingvarious industrial applications, including storage and supply means forrelatively small components and the like carried in small or shallowcontainers or directly in trays mounted on the tray rack.

A further object of this invention is to provide a rack constructionwhich is adapted to selectively accommodate on a support level either asingle large tray or a pair of small trays laterally related to eachother.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a multiple levelrack wherein a lower level thereof may accommodate either a single largetray or a pair of small trays, while an upper level accommodates asingle large tray.

Still a further object of this invention is to provide stacking rackswhich are formed of bent metal wire to include tray supporting portions,tray edge restraining portions and interengageable stacking portions.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a rack constructionof the character described, which is formed of bent wire and is ofminimal weight and bulk; which slidably accommodates trays on selectedsupport levels thereof and may be selectively used to maximize theutility of compartments of laboratory or other apparatus for receivingthe same; or, alternatively may beused for storage purposes; the racksbeing disposed on tables, desks or other supporting surfaces.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide improved tray racksof the character described, wherein each rack is provided with simplemeans for interengaging complementary means on another rack for stackingthe same; such complementary stacking means being of a constructionwhich facilitates engagement or disengagement of the stacked racks, anddoes not interfere with the mounting of trays on the racks.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in parthereinafter pointed out.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a singlelevel rack construction embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a double level rack constructionembodying the invention FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a tray usedwith the rack construction;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of a double level rack constructionshowing a modification thereof; and

FIG. 8 is a partial front elevational view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The tray racks of the instantinvention are fabricated from bent metal wire to provide tray supportingportions; tray edge restraining portions; multilevel portions; portionsfor accommodating single or paired trays; and stacking portions.

Thus, in FIGS. 1-4, 10 designates a single level tray rack embodying theinvention; such rack being adapted to carry a single large tray 11 or apair of small, similar trays in side by side relation. The tray 11comprises a flat bottom wall 13 of rectangular shape and of suitabledimensions to be slidably received in rack 10. Wall 13 has upstandingfrom the periphery thereof, shallow flanges 14 which have comer openings15 therein; the

wall 13 being formed with closely spaced perforations 16 to allow thepassage of gas, air or the like, therethrough.

The rack 10 is formed entirely of metal wire in bent or other suitableforms. Thus, rack 10 comprises a bottom tray supporting portiongenerally indicated at 17 and being of U shape with a back portion 18and side portions 19 extending therefrom. The forward endsof sideportions 19 terminate in flat, outwardly turned loop portions 20 ofrectangular shape, the terminal ends 21 thereof being turned inwardlyand abutting side portions 19 and being secured thereto by welding orthe like.

A wire 22 interconnects forward end portions of wire portions 19, theends thereof being welded in place at points spaced inwardly of theforward portions of loops- 20. A pair of parallel wires 23 are centrallydisposed between wire portions 19 and are securedv at their oppositeends to wire portion 18 and wire 22.

It is understood that the dimensions of tray 11 and rack 10 are soproportioned that when tray 11 is mounted on rack 10, the side marginaledges of the tray 11 will outwardly overlap wire portions 19 and theforward side marginal portions of tray 11 are seated on loop portions20.

Means is provided for restraining tray 11 to very limited movement fromside to side or rearwardly in respect to rack side portions 19 and backportion 18. To this end,a pair of L shaped wire members 24 having longarm portions 25 and short arm portions 26 are disposed at a levelsomewhat above that of tray supporting portion 17, the long arm portions25 being located outwardly of side portions 19. I

Members 24 are fixed to tray supporting portions 17 by a pair ofupstanding, inverted U shaped members 27 and a second pair ofupstanding, inverted U shaped members 28. Members 27 comprise divergentlegs 29 and a bight portion 30; and similarly, members 28 comprisedivergent legs 31 and a bight portion 32. Members 27 have the lower endsof their legs 29 fixed to opposite end portions of back member 18, whilemembers 28 have the lower ends of their legs 31 fixed to the outermostportions 20A of loops 20.

The members 27 are interconnected by a wire member 33 whose opposite endportions are secured to inner surface portions of legs 29 at pointsspaced below bight portions 30. The short arm portions 26 of members 24have their ends fixed to the inner surface portions of members 27 atpoints intermediate the ends of wire member 33 and end portions of backmember 18.

The forward ends of long arm portions 25 of members 24 are fixed toinner surface portions of legs 31 of members 28 at points intermediatebight portions 32 and loop portions 20A. Short cross members 35 arefixed to inner surface portions of members 28, being locatedintermediate bight portions 32 and long arm portions 25. Further, crossmembers 35 are colevel with member 33.

It will be apparent that a tray 11 may be slidably mounted on rack andhave limited sidewise or rearward movement by reason of the restraininglong arm portions 25 against which side flanges 14 of the rack may abut.Rearward movement of the tray 11 relative to rack 10 is limited by theshort arm portions 26 against which the back flange 4 of the tray mayabut.

The tray 11 is adapted to carry various small or shallow items includingbottles or other containers, dishes and the like. Upon locating rack 10and its tray 11 together with the contents of the tray in a compartmentof an incubator, sterilizer or other shelved laboratory apparatus;steam, air or the like is free to pass through the tray 11 and contactthe items carried thereon, by way of perforations 16.

Further, racks 10 may be stacked one on the other to thereby subdivide agiven apparatus compartment; each rack carrying its own tray 11 togetherwith the contents thereof. Stacking is facilitated by theinterengagement of the corresponding members 27, 28. Thus, the bightportions 30, 32 of a lower rack 10 is received between the legs 29; 31of an upper rack 10. The cross members 35 and members 33 providelocating means for spacing the successive racks 10, by engaging loopportions 20A and rack member 18.

The rack 10 may also accommodate a pair of half size trays 11A, similarto trays 11, except the size thereof. Trays 11A are arranged in side byside relation with the inner edge portions thereof supported on members23. It follows that rack 10 may be used to hold either a single fullsize tray 11 or a pair of half size trays 11A.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, rack 10A is of the double level type inthat it will accommodate a large tray 11 on each of two levels; or apair of half size trays 11A on the lower level and a full size tray 11at the upper level; or a pair of half size trays 1 1A on each level; ora pair of half size trays 11A on the upper level and a full size tray 1l on the lower level.

Rack 10A is similar to rack 10 except that the inverted U shaped members27A, 28A are of greater height than the corresponding members 27, 28.Further a pair of tray supporting portions 17 are mounted in verticallyspaced relation on members 27A, 28A. A pair of members 24 are alsosuitably located and secured to members 27A, 28A, their long armportions 25 alternating with loop portions 20. Cross members 35 aremounted on the upper portions of members 28A.

As indicated in FIGS. 7, 8, a second member 22 may extend between loops20 at the upper level so that a pair of members 23 may be provided atthe upper level, to thereby allow for varied arrangements of trays 11, 11A on the two levels.

It will be apparent that racks similar to those set forth above, mayhave any desired number of levels and may be stacked in any combinationthereof for either subdividing a given compartment or providing storageand dispensing means for small or shallow laboratory items as well assmall industrial parts or components.

While the racks 10, 10A are shown and described as being formed of bentwire of suitable metal or alloy; it is understood that synthetic resinrods of suitable configuration, may also be used to form the racks.

We claim:

1. A wire tray rack comprising a bottom tray supporting portion, arestraining back portion and laterally related restraining sideportions, a first pair of mounting members upstanding from said traysupporting portion, a second pair of mounting members upstanding fromsaid tray supporting portion, said restraining back portioninterconnecting said first pair of mounting members, each of saidrestraining side portions interconnecting one of said first pair ofmounting members and one of said second pair of mounting members, saidrestraining back portion being disposed at a level above that of saidtray supporting portion, and outwardly thereof, said tray supportingportion being formed of a bent U shaped wire member and said mountingmembers being formed of inverted U shaped members having diverging legportions, the lower ends of the leg portions of said first pair ofmounting members being secured to outer surface portions of the backportion of said U shaped supporting member, said restraining backportion comprising a linear wire member secured at the opposite endsthereof to inner surface portions of said first pair of mountingmembers, said restraining side portions comprising L shaped wiremembers, the short arms of said L shaped members being secured to innersurface portions of said first pair of mounting members, the outer endsof the long arms of said L shaped members being secured to inner surfaceportions of said second pair of mounting members.

2. A wire rack as in claim 1, wherein the side portions of said wiretray supporting portion terminate at their outer ends in a flat endlessloop extending outwardly thereof, and a linear wire memberinterconnecting said loops.

3. A wire rack as in claim 2, and further including a pair of parallellinear wire members extending between said last mentioned linear wiremember and the back portion of said U shaped supporting member anddisposed intermediate the side portions of said U shaped supportingmember.

4. A wire rack as in claim 1, and further including short cross memberssecured to inner surface portions of said second pair of inverted Ushaped mounting members, said cross members being disposed between thebight of said second pair of inverted U shaped members and the long armsof said L shaped members.

5. A wire rack as in claim 1, wherein a plurality of tray supportingportions in vertically spaced relation are fixed to said first andsecond pairs of mounting members, each tray supporting portion havingback restraining arid a pair of side restraining portions associatedtherewith.

6. A stackable tray rack formed of bent wire including a rectangular Ushaped tray supporting portion having a back wire portion and side wireportions, a first pair of inverted U shaped members fixed at their lowerends to said back wire portion at the opposite ends thereof and inupstanding relation thereto, a second pair of inverted U shaped membersfixed at their lower ends to the outer end portions of said side wireportions, a linear wire member extending between said first pair ofinverted U shaped members and disposed at a level above that of saidtray supporting portion, a pair of L shaped wire members having theshort arm portions thereof secured to said first pair of inverted Ushaped members and the outer ends of the long arm portions thereofsecured to said second pair of inverted U shaped members, said long armportions being disposed at a level above that of that of said traysupporting portion and outwardly of the side wire portions thereof, anda linear wire member interconnecting the forward ends of the side wireportions of said tray supporting portion, whereby said racks may bestacked with the upper portions of said first and second pairs ofinverted U shaped members received in the open lower portions of thecorresponding first and second pairs of inverted U shaped members on asucceeding rack.

1. A wire tray rack comprising a bottom tray supporting portion, arestraining back portion and laterally related restraining sideportions, a first pair of mounting members upstanding from said traysupporting portion, a second pair of mounting members upstanding fromsaid tray supporting portion, said restraining back portioninterconnecting said first pair of mounting members, each of saidrestraining side portions interconnecting one of said first pair ofmounting members and one of said second pair of mounting members, saidrestraining back portion being disposed at a level above that of saidtray supporting portion, and outwardly thereof, said tray supportingportion being formed of a bent U shaped wire member and said mountingmembers being formed of inverted U shaped members having diverging legportions, the lower ends of the leg portions of said first pair ofmounting members being secured to outer surface portions of the backportion of said U shaped supporting member, said restraining backportion comprising a linear wire member secured at the opposite endsthereof to inner surface portions of said first pair of mountingmembers, said restraining side portions comprising L shaped wiremembers, the short arms of said L shaped members being secured to innersurface portions of said first pair of mounting members, the outer endsof the long arms of said L shaped members being secured to inner surfaceportions of said second pair of mounting members.
 1. A wire tray rackcomprising a bottom tray supporting portion, a restraining back portionand laterally related restraining side portions, a first pair ofmounting members upstanding from said tray supporting portion, a secondpair of mounting members upstanding from said tray supporting portion,said restraining back portion interconnecting said first pair ofmounting members, each of said restraining side portions interconnectingone of said first pair of mounting members and one of said second pairof mounting members, said restraining back portion being disposed at alevel above that of said tray supporting portion, and outwardly thereof,said tray supporting portion being formed of a bent U shaped wire memberand said mounting members being formed of inverted U shaped membershaving diverging leg portions, the lower ends of the leg portions ofsaid first pair of mounting members being secured to outer surfaceportions of the back portion of said U shaped supporting member, saidrestraining back portion comprising a linear wire member secured at theopposite ends thereof to inner surface portions of said first pair ofmounting members, said restraining side portions comprising L shapedwire members, the short arms of said L shaped members being secured toinner surface portions of said first pair of mounting members, the outerends of the long arms of said L shaped members being secured to innersurface portions of said second pair of mounting members.
 2. A wire rackas in claim 1, wherein the side portions of said wire tray supportingportion terminate at their outer ends in a flat endless loop extendingoutwardly thereof, and a linear wire member interconnecting said loops.3. A wire rack as in claim 2, and further including a pair of parallellinear wire members extending between said last mentioned linear wiremember and the back portion of said U shaped supporting member anddisposed intermediate the side portions of said U shaped supportingmember.
 4. A wire rack as in claim 1, and further including short crossmembers secured to inner surface portions of said second pair ofinverted U shaped mounting members, said cross members being disposedbetween the bight of said second pair of inverted U shaped members andthe long arms of said L shaped members.
 5. A wire rack as in claim 1,wherein a plurality of tray supporting portions in vertically spacedrelation are fixed to said first and second pairs of mounting members,each tray supporting portion having back restraining and a pair of siderestraining portions associated therewith.